This California city is launching the first flights to Honolulu in 20 years

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Whether you have a Southern California local or a visitor looking for a stress-free gateway to the islands, we have some very welcome news at Travel off the path: avoiding the chaos of LAKS is going to become much easier. Hollywood Burbank finally gets its own non-stop connection to the islands for the first time in more than 20 years.

Alaska Airlines launches a new one Burbank-Honolulu route next year, giving travelers a seamless alternative to reach paradise without having to battle the infamous freeways and mega-terminal crowds of Los Angeles’ main hub.

Which California City Just Scored Flights to Hawaii?

The capital is Burbankhome to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) – the small, super convenient airport near the studios and the San Fernando Valley.

Here’s what was announced:

• Route: Hollywood Burbank (BUR) – Honolulu (HNL)
• Airline: Alaska Airlines
• Launch date: May 13, 2026
• Frequency: Dailysummer seasonal service
• Aircraft: Boeing 737
• Booking: Tickets are already on sale via Alaska’s website

According to both Alaska Airlines and the airport’s own announcement, this is the first time BUR And Honolulu have been connected non-stop for over twenty years, making it a pretty big milestone for a ‘secondary’ airport in LA.

Why this is a big win for LA travelers

We’ve talked before about how using alternate airports around LA can be done saves you money and stress compared to flying away LAKS. For many Angelenos it is Hollywood Burbank Airport is the dream combination:

• Smaller terminalshorter walks to the gate
• Usual faster safety lines
• Easier to ride along pick up and drop off
• Super handy if you live nearby Valley, Glendale, Pasadenaor Burbank yourself

Instead of driving an hour (or more) there LAKS or go all the way there Orange Province for a flight to Hawaii you can hop on Honolulu from a low-stress airport that is much closer to home.

And this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We have been following a huge wave of new routes from the US Dallas-Brisbane And New York-St. Vincentius Unpleasant Newark-Marrakesh. Airlines clearly see that travelers want more direct, point-to-point options – not just the same old big hub connections.

Burbank Airport is quietly rising

These Hawaii flights are part of a broader blaze for BUR:

• A brand new terminal with 14 gates is under construction and expected to be put into use October 2026.
• The project is estimated at approx $1.3 billion and is designed to maintain the ‘easy airport feel’ while upgrading facilities.
• Airlines love Allegiant, WindAnd JetBlue will all increase or restart services at Burbank in the coming years.

At the same time other Southern California airports are also seeing more Hawaii connectivity. Alaska’s own expansion includes more flights to Hawaii from major hubs on the West Coast Southwest adds a new non-stop between Ontario and Honoluluexpanding options across the region.

For travelers, this means more ways to create an itinerary that suits your schedule and your sanity – whether that means leaving from BUR, ONT, LAKSor anywhere else along the coast.

Hawaii is already popular – this just makes it easier

When it feels like everyone you know will Hawaii lately you’re not imagining it. Alaska Airlines has already named Hawaii the most popular destination in the US right now, thanks to strong year-over-year demand for the islands.

Add the new one Burbank-Honolulu route into that mix, and SoCal travelers suddenly have:

• More airport choices
• More ways to avoid long connections
• Better chances to find a rate and schedule that really suits your life

Who is this new route perfect for?

This Burbank-Honolulu non-stop is especially tempting when:

• You live in Burbank, Glendale, Pasadenaor the Valley and I hate slogging LAKS
• You want to pair for a few days LA (think Hollywoodtheme parks, studio tours) with a week inside Hawaii without changing airports
• You are a frequent Hawaii traveler who values ease And smaller airports upstairs lounges with large hubs
• You try traveling with children and want the simplest, most direct route possible

Off-the-path travel tips before booking this flight

A few quick strategies we would use if we had a Burbank-Honolulu travel:

• Be flexible with a day or two. Daily seasonal routes can experience large price fluctuations depending on demand.
• Travel outside rush hour if you can. At the end of May, beginning of June and end of August, prices are often better than the holiday weeks at primary school.
• Check out the seat maps early. It’s a single aisle 737so good window or aisle seats can go quickly once word gets out.
• Combine it with a points strategy. If you already fly Alaska or its partners, this is a great way to earn or burn miles on a leisurely hopping trip from the West Coast to Hawaii.

And as always, before you commit anything, you can use it Travel off the path own tools such as the 1 minute trip check to ensure you are aware of any last-minute rule changes or safety updates for your trip.

In short: if you’ve been putting off a vacation to Hawaii because LAKS felt like too much of a headache, this new one Burbank-Honolulu a flight could be the push you needed.

For a lot SoCal travelersthis is the most convenient way to reach the islands in decades – and so are we Travel off the path will definitely keep an eye on rates once they start to heat up.